SR0365 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0365 LRB104 14055 LAW 27187 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James Wilson Thomas, who passed away on May 1, 2025; and

WHEREAS, James Thomas was born to Vivian and Wilson Thomas in Kankakee on January 20, 1941; he graduated from Kankakee High School in May 1959; he attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville and graduated with honors from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1963; he married his wife, Jo Ann, in Freeport in 1964; he earned a master's degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1967; he and his family moved to Peoria in 1971; and

WHEREAS, James Thomas taught history and political science at Illinois Central College (ICC); during his career, he was an active member of the faculty, organizing the Young Democrats at ICC and founding the Illinois College Model Government Program to foster legislative experiences for college students in Springfield for many years; after serving as a professor for 35 years, he retired in 2006; and

WHEREAS, James Thomas worked for the Democratic party throughout his life; he was elected precinct committeeman, twice attended the Democratic National Convention as a delegate for President Jimmy Carter, and served as a member of the Peoria County Board for 20 years; during his tenure on the county board, he established the Art in Peoria courthouse project and served as president of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission; and

WHEREAS, James Thomas supported the ACLU, the National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club, and the Audubon Society; he was active in numerous community activities, including serving as a volunteer and contributor to Wildlife Prairie Park, the Western Avenue Greenway Project, the West Bluff Word newspaper, and the Uplands Neighborhood Association; he also coached youth soccer and was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church; and

WHEREAS, James Thomas sang in the Peoria Philharmonic Chorale and the chorus of the Peoria Opera Company for many years, and he enjoyed playing his guitar and singing with friends; he was also an avid gardener and enjoyed traveling after retirement; and

WHEREAS, James Thomas was preceded in death by his sister, Judith Crum; and

WHEREAS, James Thomas is survived by his wife; his children, Amanda Thomas, Joshua Thomas, and Martha (Matthew) Fleckenstein; five grandchildren; and his siblings, David Birchfield, Betty Hanners, Peggy Jatala, Mary Catherine Thomas, and Rebecca Susan Thomas; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James Wilson Thomas and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of James Thomas as an expression of our deepest sympathy.